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Faster software download CDNs

One of our TC1s is completely out of service today. Troubleshooting with NewTek involved downloading 7 GB of updates, that failing to fix the problem, having to restore to factory defaults, then downloading those same updates yet again.

Your CDNs max out at just under 4MB/sec. That is over an hour of waiting around for those updates to download, meanwhile we're dead in the water with a completely non-functional switcher.

I'll pass along your remarks to our IT people, thanks. Just as a tip, please note that you can perform a TriCaster restore operation in about 10 minutes, give or take, and no download required. This can be a lifesaver when those minutes are precious. And this is all the more valuable if you have created a custom backup drive.

That doesn't preclude you from having to download/install any updates released since the last restore image was made.

True, but assuming you made it at a time when your system was well configured and running without issue, it does serve the purpose. Sounds like your problem is something other than software anyway, mind you. You didn't really specify what sort of issue you've encountered.

Update Tip: manually DOWNLOAD the TriCaster updates, either on TriCaster (from Windows screen) or another PC, rather than using the INSTALL option. This will create a folder called C:\TriCaster Build.

I then move that download folder to the D: drive since doing a RESTORE on TriCaster completely wipes the C: drive and you of course then lose your download if saved on C: drive.

I also rename the folder to include the VERSION name of the download. I usually have the last few builds available on my D: drive - in case I have troubles with a new update I can easily roll back to a previous build.

Worst case scenario that I do both a RESTORE and UPDATE in the field, looking at maybe 20 minutes (I've done it on location, no internet needed). Good idea to also have your serial and 6-digit registration code on the machine. I made a little label that is on my TC, then I always have it readily available. I actually have the original SE info and the AE info both on my label!

We do try to keep copies of Tricaster builds on portable media, but I do second the statement that Newtek download servers are comparatively slow. You definitely don't want to be caught in the wild trying to make an update (nor should you, professionally) but even here in the shop it's on the tedious side. They're slow, and we have a timeout at least 25% of the time we go to make a download.

Props to NewTek for listening - I'm downloading all sorts of updates today because I finally have some downtime with our TriCasters, and they're humming along at 11-12MB/sec! Much better than in the past. Hopefully this is a permanent change!

Edit: Ohhh noooo, as soon as I post that, the downloads go back to 3MB/sec... some kind of throttling?